A Host of Options Offered for Ringing in the New Year : Entertainment Runs Gamut From Jazz to Comedy

OK, you’re hoping that at midnight on New Year’s Eve you’ll be making all manner of noise, crooning “Auld Lang Syne,” maybe kissing some of the people within reach--or at least your date. But you’re still not sure what you’ll be doing, or just where you’ll be, when the clock strikes 12.

And as long as you don’t have to drive beyond the Orange County border for a show, you are open to suggestion. Well, you are in luck. There is quite a selection of shows to choose from, with headlining performers ranging from jazz singer Al Jarreau to opera singer Roberta Peters to funny singer Mark McCollum. Below is the local lowdown, alphabetically by venue.

-- Celebrity Theatre, 201 E. Broadway, Anaheim. Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Al Jarreau will sing at 10:30 p.m. Cost is $40 (plus surcharge), which covers admission, a glass of champagne, hors d’oeuvres and party favors. Information: (714) 999-9536.

-- Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. Veteran singer-songwriter Billy Vera (who scored his first No. 1 hit this year with “At This Moment”) and the Beaters return for another rock ‘n’ soul romp at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35, which covers admission, party favors and champagne toast. (714) 496-8930.

-- Crazy Horse Steak House, 1580 Brookhollow Drive, Santa Ana. The American Made Band will perform at 8 p.m. Admission is $2. Party favors will be provided and complimentary champagne will be served with meals. (714) 549-1512.

-- Disneyland, 1313 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim. The park will present a varied, dance-oriented lineup featuring hot new dance band Expose, hot old dance band the Commodores, hot pop-rock upstart Richard Marx, hot veteran big band the Harry James Orchestra (directed by Joe Graves) and hot-hot Krash at 8:30 p.m. Cost is $36 at the gate ($30 in advance), which covers admission and unlimited use of attractions, noisemakers and party hats and fireworks display. (714) 999-4565.

-- Emerald of Anaheim Hotel, 1717 S. West St., Anaheim. Dance band High Society will perform classic and contemporary jazz for a New Year’s Eve party that starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the black-tie event are $100, which covers the music, six-course dinner, wine, party favors, champagne door prizes and a gift. Reservations suggested. (714) 999-0990.

-- Improvisation, 4255 Campus Drive, Irvine. Mark McCollum, 1987 Star Search Comedy Champion, will present his highly animated act--that runs the gamut from rock parodies to impressions to standard stand-up--at 8 and 10:15 p.m. Cover is $35 for the first show (includes admission and dinner), $45 for the second (includes admission, champagne at midnight and party favors). (714) 854-5455.

-- Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. Starting at 7 p.m., the park will offer nearly a dozen contemporary Christian-oriented pop acts, including Steve Taylor, Benny Hester, Sheila Walsh, Randy Stonehill, the Altar Boys, Issac Air Freight, Crumbacher, D.A., the Choir, Fourth Watch and Michael Peace. Cost is $18 at the gate ($16 in advance), which covers admission and rides, party hats and noisemakers and a fireworks display. (714) 827-1776.

-- Laff Stop, 2122 S.E. Bristol St., Newport Beach. Comedian Howard Dean will headline two shows, at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Evening includes hors d’oeuvres and a champagne toast. Call for ticket price. (714) 852-8762.

-- Night Moves, 5902 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach. Concert featuring the Crowd and One-Eyed Moses will start at 8 p.m. Admission is $10, which covers champagne and party favors. (714) 840-6118.

-- Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Metropolitan Opera soprano Roberta Peters will join the Pacific Symphony for a concert at 9 p.m. The performance will be followed by a party in the Grand Ballroom of the Westin South Coast Plaza hotel, featuring champagne, gourmet buffet and dancing to big band music. Ticket prices range from $50-65. Black tie optional. (714) 556-2787.

-- Registry Hotel, 18800 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine. Vibraphonist Tracy Wells and his big band, along with vocal group Four Star, will provide the dance music for a party that also includes sit-down dinner, wine, party favors and champagne. Cost is $75. (714) 553-9449.